West Virginia Senate Bill SB756

West Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/14/25
• Refer: 3/14/25

Caption

Supplemental appropriation to DNR, Wildlife Resources

Summary

SB756 is a fiscal measure that makes a supplemental appropriation for fiscal year 2025 to the West Virginia Department of Commerce, Division of Natural Resources, License Fund – Wildlife Resources account (fund 3200, organization 0310). The bill authorizes the Legislature to increase and decrease existing appropriations within that account based on an unappropriated balance identified by the Governor, and it specifically increases funding for the Law Enforcement line item. In practical terms, the bill adjusts spending authority within the Wildlife Resources fund rather than creating a new program or changing substantive policy. The bill is limited to the current fiscal year and operates as a budget correction or reallocation measure. It amends the appropriation levels for the designated spending unit so the Division of Natural Resources can use available license-fund money during FY 2025. Because the bill is an appropriation bill, its legal effect is on state spending authority and fund allocation, not on regulatory provisions in Chapter 20 or other wildlife laws.

Impact

SB756 changes the state budget by supplementing and amending appropriations for the Division of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources account, including an increase for law enforcement spending. It affects the use of license-fund revenues and the spending authority of the DNR for fiscal year 2025, but it does not alter wildlife regulations, enforcement powers, or other substantive provisions of West Virginia Code Chapter 20.

Sentiment

The available context suggests the bill is routine and administrative in nature, with no recorded committee debate or votes indicating opposition or controversy. As a supplemental appropriation requested by the Executive, it appears to be a standard budget adjustment intended to align spending authority with available funds. The absence of recorded discussion or voting history points to generally neutral or procedural support.

Contention

No specific points of contention are shown in the provided materials. The only potentially notable issue is the internal reallocation of appropriations within the Wildlife Resources fund, including the increase for law enforcement, but there is no evidence of disagreement over that adjustment in the available record. With no committee transcript or vote data, no identifiable member, agency, or stakeholder opposition can be confirmed.